Kessler Hits Top of N.Y. Times Best-Seller List

Newsmax Chief Washington Correspondent Ronald Kessler's sensational new book about the Secret Service will debut at No. 3 on the New York Times list of best-sellers.

"In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes With Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect," already a top Amazon.com best-seller since its publication last week, will appear on the Times' list of best-selling nonfiction hardcover books to be published on Aug. 23.

Kessler's earlier books include: "The Terrorist Watch," "The CIA at War," "The Bureau" and "Inside the White House." Besides his new book, three of his previous books were New York Times best-sellers.

He is the first journalist to penetrate the wall of secrecy that surrounds the U.S. Secret Service, and his new book is based on interviews with more than 100 current and former agents.

It also has created a buzz of controversy and outrage from the brass at the Secret Service.

"In the President's Secret Service" offers intriguing stories about presidents from JFK to George W. Bush, and also provides an inside look at the current White House resident, including the fact that Barack Obama still smokes cigarettes, despite his denials.

Among the many other disclosures in Kessler's book:

After Obama entered the White House, the Secret Service experienced a 400 percent increase in the number of threats against the president, in comparison with predecessor George Bush.

Bush's daughters Barbara and Jenna gave their Secret Service details a hard time and would try to lose the agents assigned to them.

John Kennedy had trysts with Marilyn Monroe in a loft above the office of his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy.

Lyndon Johnson would walk around naked in the presence of his daughters, his wife Lady Bird, and female secretaries.

Richard Nixon had no relationship with his wife and did not sleep with her.

A paper napkin found in a hotel elevator helped the Service thwart an assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan.

Jimmy Carter once tried to attack and kill a small dog with a bow saw.

The Secret Service has been "cutting corners" since Homeland Security took it over, heightening the risk of an assassination.

Editor’s Note: Newsmax has two options for you to get this best-selling book: